Although not a household name, Pfc. George Benjamin merits some votes. After all, the Woodbury High grad won the Congressional Medal of Honor (one of two in Gloucester County history) for his World War II battlefield heroics in the Phillipines.

Oscar Fraley? He wrote the “Untouchables.”

Milt Plum? One of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks in history.

Glassboro’s Gary Brackett? Plays for his second Super Bowl ring today in Miami.

Steve Sweeney? He’s done everything but register Republican.

After a little digging, the name Franklin Davenport pops up.

None other than the late Frank H. Stewart, a noteworthy county resident himself, had this to say in 1921 when a memorial was dedicated in Davenport’s honor at Woodbury’s Presbyterian graveyard on North Broad Street: “We are gathered to pay tribute to Gloucester County’s most famous citizen.”

Most famous? That’s a mouthtful. Why Davenport?

Well, for starters Ben Franklin was the Woodbury resident’s uncle. Not many can claim that, including Aretha Franklin.

Davenport (1755-1832) was an officer of the American Revolution and likely was known best for his military accomplishments. When the British fleet destroyed Fort Mifflin in 1777, Davenport was a member of the artillery company on the Tench Francis farm opposite Hog Island.

Davenport was in the New Jersey Militia, serving as lieutenant colonel of the Second Regiment Gloucester County Military, then was appointed Brigadier General of the Gloucester Brigade. When he died, in 1832, he was Major General of the First Division of the New Jersey Militia.

But that merely scratches the surface.

He’s the only Gloucester County resident ever to serve as a member of the U.S. Senate, filling a two-year vacancy. He became first surrogate of Gloucester County in 1785, serving until 1798. Thirteen years represented a nice run, but Eugene Horan holds the surrogate longevity record — 24 years from 1933 to 1957.

Elisha Clark followed Davenport and for the next 64 years seven different Woodbury residents served as surrogate until Swedesboro’s Samuel Groff took office in 1863. Altogether 22 have come after Davenport, including Helene Reed on an impressive list that includes high-profile countians like Bill Strang, Eugene McCaffrey Sr. and Don Wagner.

Davenport did so much more.

He ran, and lost, a 1794 race for New Jersey Secretary of State. He was a lawyer who was the oldest practicing member of the New Jersey Bar Association when he died. He was a founder of Woodbury Academy, a founder of Woodbury Fire Company, president of the Library Company, a mason, and founder, first president and attorney for the Gloucester County Abolition Society.

But as full and active as Gen. Davenport’s life was, he died a desperately poor man.

Said Frank Stewart at the dedication ceremony 90 years ago, “With no roof over his head, it must have been a sorry plight. The undertaker’s expense was only three dollars. It shows the truth of the old saying, ‘A man once had three dollars and three friends. He loaned the three dollars to the three friends and lo, he had no dollars and no friends.’”

Harassed by the sheriff and creditors, stripped of everything he owned, Gen. Davenport didn’t apply for a pension until 17 days prior to his death.

He’s still one of the most famous countians you may never have heard of.

But if Colt Gary Brackett’s interception return for a touchdown beats the Saints today, the list may change.